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[148]
So Antiochus gave Jonathan leave to raise himself a numerous army
out of Syria and Phoenicia and to make war against Demetrius's generals;
whereupon he went in haste to the several cities which received him splendidly
indeed, but put no forces into his hands. And when he was come from thence
to Askelon, the inhabitants of Askelon came and brought him presents, and
met him in a splendid manner. He exhorted them, and every one of the cities
of Celesyria, to forsake Demetrius, and to join with Antiochus; and, in
assisting him, to endeavor to punish Demetrius for what offenses he had
been guilty of against themselves; and told them there were many reasons
for that their procedure, if they had a mind so to do. And when he had
persuaded those cities to promise their assistance to Antiochus, he came
to Gaza, in order to induce them also to be friends to Antiochus; but he
found the inhabitants of Gaza much more alienated from him than he expected,
for they had shut their gates against him; and although they had deserted
Demetrius, they had not resolved to join themselves to Antiochus. This
provoked Jonathan to besiege them, and to harass their country; for as
he set a part of his army round about Gaza itself, so with the rest he
overran their land, and spoiled it, and burnt what was in it. When the
of Gaza saw themselves in this state of affliction, and that no assistance
came to them from Demetrius, that what distressed them was at hand, but
what should profit them was still at a great distance, and it was uncertain
whether it would come at all or not, they thought it would he prudent conduct
to leave off any longer continuance with them, and to cultivate friendship
with the other; so they sent to Jonathan, and professed they would be his
friends, and afford him assistance: for such is the temper of men, that
before they have had the trial of great afflictions, they do not understand
what is for their advantage; but when they find themselves under such afflictions,
they then change their minds, and what it had been better for them to have
done before they had been at all damaged, they choose to do, but not till
after they have suffered such damages. However, he made a league of friendship
with them, and took from them hostages for their performance of it, and
sent these hostages to Jerusalem, while he went himself over all the country,
as far as Damascus.

Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.

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